Social worker Sarojini Varadappan dead

Social worker Sarojini Varadappan passed away Thursday morning in the Tamil Nadu capital. She was 92.

Varadappan was the daughter of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Bhaktavatsalam of the Congress party.

In a condolence message, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said she was grief-stricken on hearing of Varadappan's death.

Varadappan used to mingle with all, in simplicity. Even in her old age she was active in social work, Jayalalithaa said.

"She served effectively as the head of the Women's India Association (WIA) and the Music Academy," Jayalalithaa said.

Varadappan served as Sheriff of Madras when M. G. Ramachandran was chief minister of the state.

She received the Padma Shri in 1973 and the Padma Bhushan in 2009.

Interestingly, at 80 years of age, Varadappan received a PhD for research on Social Service and the Swami Narayan Movement.